Glossary:Backcasting

Backcasting refers to forecasting backward in time; the term has also been used for extrapolation. This is done by applying the forecasting method to a series starting from the end and going to the beginning of the data.

This can be used to provide a set of starting values for exponential smoothing values that can then be used for applying that forecasting method to the standard, original sequence, starting from the beginning and forecasting through the end.

Further information

• Handbook on Data Quality - Assessment Methods and Tools

Related concepts

• Extrapolation
• Forecasting